When visiting Lancashire, Rishi Sunak fined for not using a seatbelt. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was penalised for not fastening his seatbelt while making a social media video in a moving vehicle.
The 42-year-old man from London was given a conditional offer of a fixed penalty, according to Lancashire Police.
Mr. Sunak “completely accepts this was a mistake and has apologised,” according to No. 10, who also added that he will pay the fee.
When seat belts are provided, passengers who are discovered not using them risk receiving a £100 punishment.
If the matter ends up in court, this could rise to £500.
While travelling through the north of England, the prime minister was in Lancashire at the time the video was shot.
The video, which promotes the latest government round of “levelling up” spending – was posted on Mr Sunak’s Instagram account.
It is the second time Mr Sunak has received a fixed penalty notice while in government.
Last April, he was fined along with Boris Johnson and wife Carrie for breaking Covid lockdown rules – by attending a birthday gathering for the then-prime minister in Downing Street in June 2020.
“Show no regard for the law.”
Fixed penalty notices are a type of fine that must be paid or contested within 28 days as a result of breaching the law.
If a person decides to fight the fine, the police will assess the situation and decide whether to reverse the punishment or pursue legal action.
In a tweet, Angela Rayner, the deputy leader of Labour, referred to Mr. Sunak as a “complete liability.”
“Hapless Rishi Sunak’s leveling-up photo op has blown up in his face and made him into a laughing stock,” a Labour Party spokesperson continued.
The Liberal Democrats claimed that he had “shown the same contempt for the rules as Boris Johnson” by becoming the second prime minister to ever be fined by the police.
From partygate to seatbeltgate, these Conservative politicians are simply playing the British people for suckers, according to deputy Lib Dem leader Daisy Cooper.
This fine serves as a warning that the Conservatives will eventually pay a price for acting as though there are different rules for them and for everyone else.
However, earlier, Blackpool South Conservative MP Scott Benton said he believed Lancashire Police were wasting their time by looking into the incident.
The majority of people, he claimed, “would believe that politicised complaints about a seatbelt are not effective use of frontline resources.”
In cars, vans, and other goods vehicles where seat belts are provided, passengers must wear them if they are 14 years of age or older. Drivers are responsible for passengers under 14.
Exemptions include having a doctor’s certificate for a medical reason, or being in a vehicle used for a police, fire or other rescue service.